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ENERGY METHODOLOGIES FOR ASSESSING THE REGIONAL ROLE OF TRANSPORTATION SYSTEMS AND FOR EVALUATING ENVIRONMENTAL ECONOMIC TRADEOFFS

Energy analysis is presented as a methodology which can provide a broad overview to link a wide range of transportation problems: gasoline shortages, fuel price increases, increased construction costs, and increased environmental concerns. Energy analysis has developed or adapted a number of different tools which aid in the understanding of dynamic transportation systems. General system understanding is furthered by use of large scale models. Other techniques used in the report include energy budgets of a wetland ecosystem unaffected by highway construction compared to a wetland affected by highways. A regional model was developed and simulated in order to study policy issues concerning transportation and the problem of limited fuel supply. A conceptual framework was developed for assessing the impact of highway projects on natural systems. A hydrologic analysis was performed to determine what have been the long range hydrologic trends in the upper St. Thomas River basin. General Systems Theory was used to more fully elucidate the role of transportation in a regional socio-economic system.